What kitchen knife set?

M

mantashrimpman

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May 30, 2009
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My good friends getting married at the end of this month and I wanted to get him a good set of kitchen knives. I was looking to spend about 500-600 dollers on a five piece set. So far I have been eyeing out the shun ken onion five piece set. Any other suggestions?
 
Packaged sets usually contain a lot of knives you won't use. Get a couple of good chef's knives and a few parring knives.

check out Murray Carter www.cartercutlery.com
 
We've bought two sets of knives since we got married (1995) and both were junk. Out of eleven knives, only two ever got any real use. Last year, I researched kitchen knives, and came up with A.G. Russell's set, and we're piecing together what we know we'll use. We love these knives - great pieces for the price. They're not the best out there, but they are comfortable for extended use, they sharpen up fairly quickly, and hold their edge reasonably well. (Just don't use a glass or porcelain cutting surface.)

http://www.agrussell.com/ag-russell-set-of-eight-kitchen-knives/p/AGKK-SET8/

We started with the 8" chef's knife, then used our older, smaller ones, to decide on which smaller ones to get. When we're done, we'll have four or five knives that will see consistent use.

Congrats & good luck to your friends! :thumbup:

thx - cpr
 
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I'd do with the Shun Classics as well. I have that set, and I love em! The basic 8" Chef, 6" utility, and 3.5" paring is great. You could easily add in a bread knife, and a Santoku to make the set a little more rounded.

Or Globals if they like the more modernistic look. Either way, Shun is my choice.
 
As Chuck said, don't buy a block or set. You are better off buying individual knives that you will actually use. Buy the block and then fill it with knives that will be used. Carving, Chef's, large and small, utility, and paring. Then build on that based on what you will use. But don't forget a good set of shears. They come in handy.
 
Plus one on the don’t get a set – unless the set has exactly what you want. Most don’t, so you’re better off selecting ala’carte and starting with a good 8 or 10” chef’s knife, a paring or petty, and a decent 10” serrated bread knife.

The KO chef’s knife has a handle and bolster specifically designed for a pinch grip, for user with a certain hand size and a blade with a substantial belly curve. Some will swear by it, while others (like myself) will swear at it. I found it uncomfortable and my wife found it impossible to hold within moments of trying it. I believe a handle that enforces the use of a pinch grip (only), and a blade with that much curvature is unnecessary and very limited. Any chef knife (including the other shuns) with normal handle and a blade with less (or a lot less) curvature will be more versatile.
 
I have the KO Shun Chef's knife, and the Shun classic Santoku. Those two, plus a paring knife, or two, and you should be set. The Shun damascus blades are beautiful, and sharp. You can't go wrong.

Daniel
 
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